Things to do


Many of our guests stay around the area, walking from the door, but of course there is a terrific amount to do in Snowdonia and the surrounding countryside.  Searching Google is an obvious way to research but here are a few recommendations.

Bala is a fairly small town of about 2000 inhabitants but it has all you need in the way of shops and is about 5 miles from us. The first shop in town on the right is T.J.Roberts the butcher and they are excellent.  The last shop in town on the right is “Stori”, opposite Co-op, many Welsh wines and beers including draft. Go there to buy before going to “Bala Spice” the Indian as it is not licensed, Stori tends to be open late.

We think we are in the best location to access the rest of North West Wales, every journey is through the most fabulous scenery with so many destinations it is difficult to name them all.  The costal castles at Harlech, Caernarfon and Conwy are all special. Harlech beach is a favourite, Barmouth is a trip worth doing, perhaps park on the other side of the estuary and walk across the bridge into the town, go to The Mermaid for fish and chips, by far the best. Go to Porthmadog, stop at Portmeirion, (well worth a visit), lunch at the moorings bistro in Borth y Gest, go to Black-rock sands, on to Criccieth, (Dylan’s restaurant then walk up to Cadwalladars for ice cream afterwards), Pwllheli. Perhaps look for a different route home depending on time.  Another circuit: up the A5 past Conwy Falls where there is a good cafe, coffee? Betws-y-coed then left at Capel Curig and right to do Llanberis pass to Caernarfon, back via Beddgelert.  Another day, stay on the A5 at Capel Curig heading out towards Bangor (don’t stop there!) fabulous drive past Tryfan. Over Menai Bridge onto Anglesey (another good Dylan’s there) then onto Beaumaris, maybe go to Plas Cadnant Garden.  The other route outward- turn right at Betws-y-coed on A470 and you are heading towards Conwy, through Llanwrst (good deli) we would be going to Bodnant, fabulous 60 plus acres of gardens. 

Llyn Tegid (Bala Lake) has kayaking and all sorts of boating, Bala Water Sports www.balawatersports.com. Or go to the national white water centre to book white water rafting on the tryweryn www.nationalwhitewatercentre.co.uk.

For organised high adrenaline tourist attractions, the main ones are found on the Zip World website www.zipworld.co.uk. (Bounce Below etc.)
Mountain biking: – www.mbwales.com

Walking and cycling, the excellent www.gobala.org. 

Mountains! Obviously everyone comes to the area to do Snowdon. That’s the problem, it’s busy!  You need to get there early. Next one down is Cadair Idris which you can see from here beyond Bala Lake. It is still busy but no where near as bad.  Tryfan, mentioned earlier is a real favourite.  Cnicht! See https://www.countrylife.co.uk/travel/cnicht-snowdonia-climb-one-mountain-life-one-210041

Railways! Obviously! You can now take a train from Corwen or Carrog to Llangollen. Quite a good day out especially if you can get a steam train. www.llangollen-railway.co.uk. Welsh Highland and Ffestiniog Railways- A tip worth considering is spending a bit more on the Pullman Carriage. www.festrail.co.uk. Bala Lake Railway www.bala-lake-railway.co.uk. Really enthusiastic and we are looking forward to it coming into Bala town sometime soon.

Food: – the “Bryntirion” pub in Llandderfel or really special food at the Tyddyn Llan or Pale Hall. Rhug isn’t bad, good breakfasts in the Bison Grill and there are good Indian restaurants in Bala and Corwen. I’m not recommending any Bala pubs for food at the moment as there are so many better ones,  the Cyfnod Bistro is fine.  We can do meals for you until about 6.30pm and in the season our cafe is open until 5. 

I hope this gives you some ideas to research! 

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